2225 "Certificate of the Death of Samuel Parsels." Fascinating
1-1/2 page 1769 document from a Charleston, S.C. Notary,
John Remington, recording the testimony of one Thomas Guy
as deponent, on his association with Parsels, "a well set
man of black Complextion, aged about twenty-two years."
Parsels was in prison in Philadelphia, released, sailed
for Jamaica but taken by a French privateer while enroute,
put on shore at St. Lucia where he sailed for Rotterdam,
then pressed on board an English Sloop of War Bavary, but
sailing from Liverpool to Plymouth, "the Said Vessel was
lost, & every Soul on Board perished & not one man as the
Depon't ever heard of was saved." Fine............................$160
2226 [Correspondence]. Approx. 36 letters of the Hawkins family
of Pennsylvania, the most interesting being several
letters 1868-70s to the son of C.S. Hawkins writing from
Nebraska: "I shall go to Helenia City from their to
Virginia City in Montania from there to California San
Francisco from there Arizona there to New Mexico from
there to Rusia America...verry few young men would take
such a journey verry likely it will take me three years if
I should live to get through with the journey I will give
up traveling I shall gain my health out here I think the
west is the place for young men to make money if they
would take care of it after they had made, but they like
whiskey and will pay 25 cts for a thimble full, that will
make them crazy and the tavern keepers then will empty
their pockets of all their money - three drinks will put
them crazy I have known some of them spend $50 in one
evening when found in the mourning no hat not Boots no
Coat & vest all gone and no one knew anything about them",
etc. There is also a letter about a Pawnee Indian victory
dance over the Sioux, letter from Salt Lake City where he
hopes to see Brigham Young (notes that the Mormon leader
is heavily guarded), etc., a number with original
envelopes, also includes a number of pieces of printed
ephemera, Fine lot................................................$230
2227 C [Florida]. Three folded letters headed "Black Water
Mills", 1840-41, each with Pensacola cds, all with lengthy
contents providing glimpses of life in Florida, Fine..............$190
2228 Gold Rush: Australia! Six page letter (7-3/4 x 9-3/4 in.),
datelined "Sydney N.S.W. Sept. 23/52" from miner,
regarding overcrowding in houses, crews deserting their
ships, water shortage at Port Philip, etc., describes the
clothing and daily routine of prospectors in entertaining
detail: ..."we rose at 4 o'clock in the morning had our
breakfasts over by 5 & then went to work at digging, I
used to make the damper, fetch the meat & cook it & then
rock the cradle, you must bear in mind you are compelled
to rough it what you require is the suit you stand in a
pair of good strong buchers, moleskin trousers...blue
guernsey frock, leather belt for the waist & straw hat,
pocket knife with a hole in it & string to hang round your
neck for you cannot carry without knives forks plates or
any other article excepting your blankets & rug & a nine
feet square tent made of calico which will hold 4 of us as
little clothing as possible for you must bear in mind we
are compelled to tramp with our swag over mountain &
perhaps for miles & miles only fancy the 4 have to carry
on their backs the cradle, pickaxes, crow bars, shovels,
buckets pipkins a dipper a sauce pan perhaps about 100 lbs
weight," etc. Despite prepartions, the writer was
unsuccessful, though he notes that new diggings have been
discovered in the north and by the letter's end he's
regained some of his enthusiasim, Fine and fasincating
letter............................................................$290
2229 C [Guano]. Folded letter to Boston headed "Chincha Islands
August 22nd/55" from guano merchant who writes (in part):
"done as well as our neighbors in the way of getting guano
the ship draws sixteen feet six inches aft and twelve feet
forward. The last two days we have taken about Forty tons
pr day which is considered very well for the Middle Island
as they have but few labourers on the Island and few ships
save much time & money...I have been trying to induce them
to do better by me & think I have accomplished it as they
now promise me that they will do better. I have already
paid away seven ounces toward getting favours and hope and
trust it will not be misspent." etc., outersheet with ms.
"Paid" and "Steamship 20" circle hs, Fine and rare. The
Chincha Islands, three small islands off the coast of
Peru, were home to huge numbers of sea birds. The
"labourers" were coolies working in a condition of abject
slavery. The "ounces" may very well refer to opium................$125
2230 C [Illinois]. Correspondence of 19 folded letters 1838-1854,
all postmarked Macomb Ill., from Isaac Grantham to Lewis
Rumford in Pa., all lengthy contents showing a mixture of
business & gossip including an interesting discourse on
the campaign of William Henry Harrison (Grantham was not a
believer), Fine group.............................................$200
2231 C [Indians]. Fold letter with ms. "Fort Towson June 16,
1835" postmark and "25" on folded letter to Westport, Mo.
from missionary, intersting contents talk about raising
Indian children, and notes, "I am now seated in my own log
cabin twelve miles from any white person. The Choctaws in
our District are all full bloods they do not speak any
english and never had any teachers until we arrived
here...our hearts are full of tender concern for the
welfare of these precious souls, two thousand looking
directly up to us for instruction" etc., minor stains on
address panel, Fine...............................................$180
2232 C [Judaica]. Seven page letter datelined "Springler
Institute New York, March 16, 1859," from N.H. McKein,
and which includes this passage: "The service at this
Synagogue was to me very interesting and beautiful, I mean
the sight and sound of it for not a word of it all except
the sermon did I understand, but the shoutings by the
Rabbi and the responses by the choir, the...reading of the
Hebrew Scriptures, and the prayers were very impressive. I
had elsewhere attended Jewish services without any
impression save taht of the utter heartlessness and
irreverence with which they were conducted, but here it
was altogether different." etc. With original transmittal
envelope franked with 3c Dull Red (26) tied by N.Y. cds,
Fine lot..........................................................$105
2233 A Michigan Journal. By Hiram Crosby, a New York City
attorney, 5-1/2 x 3-1/8 in. book with leather covers, 120+
pages, describing an 1872 trip into the Michigan
wilderness - hunting, fishing, canoeing, with Indian
guides of course. Includes 22 drawings in pencil or pen,
including sketches of abandoned wigwams, a shooting
contest with an Indian, forest scenes, members of Crosby's
party, etc. A cross between a boy's adventure novel and
one of Hemingway's Michigan stories, this is an
exceedingly readable account. Crosby clearly enjoyed
writing about his encounters with Indians, colorful
frontiersmen and wildlife, his drawings, done by someone
with a good eye and a sense of humor, are equally
entertaining. In addition, Crosby has left us detailed
lists of provisions, names of his party, costs, an
attractive litho showing a view of Marquette, Mich. tipped
to one page, etc. Wear to covers, but pages and ink quite
fresh - an outstanding piece....................................$1,350
2235 C A New England Correspondence. 225+ letters from the 1850s
to reformer Franklin Benjamin Sanborn while a student at
Harvard. Mr. Sanborn had a wide circle of friends -
virtually all the letters, some quite lengthy, are well
written and entertaining. Sanborn was a neighbor of Henry
David Thoreau, a friend and admirer of Ralph Waldo
Emerson, and while the letters of neither man are present
here, their world is. The lot includes the original
transmittal envelopes (a number with stamps removed), a
few pieces of printed ephemera (we note a nice Fremont
lettersheet) and such curiosities as a letter hand-carried
by Thomas Higginson (an ALS of the latter, from the 1880s,
is also present), Fine group......................................$525
2236 [New York]. 18th Century copy of Governor Thomas Dongan's
1686 grant of a large tract of land to Robert Livingston,
comprising large parts of what is now Dutchess and
Columbia counties, seven pages, Fine, very desirable
collateral........................................................$210
2238 19th Century Letters. Large group of papers from the
Graham/Hunter families, 1840s-1900, includes several Civil
War letters, one mentions seige of Mobile, also letter
from Fort Scott describing fight at Coon Creek, Mo.,
letter with Zouave letterhead, etc., pre-war includes
letters while surveying in Colorado and Kansas
Territories: "I think that the United States must have a
revolution in it before we can have good times," etc.,
includes some business cards and other ephemera, Fine and
interesting lot, worthy of organization and study.................$600
2239 [Northwest Territory]. Ross County part-printed court
summons, 7-3/4 x 6-1/4 in., signed by Edward Tiffin,
Ohio's first governor, dated June, 1802, Fine......................$80
Military Letters
2242 Fighting Indians in Arizona. Group of five letters from
Civil War vet George Woodbury at Fort Apache and Fort
Lowell, 1881-83, to his girl friend Anna Fisk in
Northfield, Vt. He writes in one letter: "Indians ran the
cattle...and killed several of them but the Indian scouts
from this place went out with a Detachment of troops and
got them buck indians and all they are in the guard house
now the Indian Scouts killed 12 of them before the white
Troops came up thus saving the expense of a trial...i tell
you Anna i have got but very little love for the so called
Noble Red Man they are noble when they are dead but alive
they are the most Beastly inhuman Brutes that were ever
Born." And in another he writes from his sick bed:
"...they tied us on to the Horses so we should not fall
off if we died before we got to the Post there was over
fifty killed soldiers and citizens around the Post but we
gave them a good Licking...we did not have any idea they
were agoing to Fire upon us until it began half the
soldiers were at the rive half a mile away and were shot
before they got their guns at all...I had a 16 shooter and
i gave them all there was in that and all at once I felt
as though the whole world fell out from in under me and
when i came to got my sences the doctor had me lying
behind a dead Horse." etc. There are also comments about
Mormon wives, a hunting expedition, Indians fighting among
themselves on the reservation (his horse is shot in the
neck), Indians protesting 80 prisoners sentenced to be
shot, fear of getting scalped, theft of stage mail, etc.
Lot includes original mailing envelopes with Fort Apache
and Tucson postmarks - stamps unfortunately torn but the
letters themselves are well preserved - approx. 20 pages,
an entertaining group, recently discovered and offered for
the first time....................................................$850
2243 C "Hon. John Wilson Fort Leavenworth Commander of the Escort
to California. Unusual address on Apr. 30, 1849 folded
letter from Rockville Iowa, contents refer to Thomas
Benton, Pres. Taylor ("old Rough"), California gold, etc.,
lot includes letter from 1850 to Wilson in S.F. and 1857
letter. Accompanied by owner's notes taken from the book
Gold Rush - the journals & papers of J. GOldsborough
Bruff, who makes frequent mention of Wilson........................$80
2244 C Illinois Military Correspondence. Two folded letters,
first dated Sept. 1837 from Col. Twiggs at Shawneetown to
Brig. Gen. R. Jones in Washington D.C. re ill health of
soldiers ("I regret to say that my march has been much
impeded by the ill health of the command"), bright red
Shawneetown cds and "Free" hs, second dated Oct. 1844 from
Stephen Whicher at Bloomington, Iowa, to Gen. G. W. Jones
at Mineral Point Wis. T., regarding legal affirs in the
territory, written on a "Young Misses and Young Masters
Pick-Nick" printed invitation sheet, routing "To be mailed
at Galena" with red Galena cds, splits and toning.................$160
2245 C [Indians]. Four covers from Providence, R.I., addressed to
Charles Latham of the U.S. Signal Corps, all to Ft.
Leavenworth with 3c Rose (65) except the last, dated May
31, 1865, which is addressed: "Indian Expedition/District
of the Plains/Fort Cottonwood/Colorado Territory", with
docketing at left, "Camp on Powder River August 19th",
last with corner nick, small stamp flaws, Fine lot. In
1865, three army columns were sent against the Cheyenne
and Araphaho Indians, after retaliations against whites
because of the Sand Creek Massacre.................................$80
2246 C [Maine]. Interesting 1839 folded letter headed "House of
Reps", from a John Lovejoy, regarding the northeastern
boundary dispute, inadequately defined in the Treaty of
1783. By 1838 armed conflict between Maine and New
Brunswick seemed imminent: "We have good news from
Washington. Congress has appropriated millions of dollars
for the defense of Maine. A special minister is to be sent
to England & Mr. Webster is to have the appointment.
General Scott arived in twon last evening, and was
exhibited this afternoon in this hall to anumerous
audience. The hall was crowded to a complete jam...It
looks warlike here, yesterday the Oxford troops arrived
some six hundred in number, today a regiment from
Portland, armed to the teeth. They look prepared to meet
regular troops." etc., with blue Augusta Me. cds and ms.
"10" rate, Fine...................................................$270
2247 C Major to Major: News of Gen. Alexander Macomb. Three-page
1828 letter from a Maj. Heilman to Major Mason, commanding
Fort Washington: "By the crooked diameter of Moses Portes
left leg, but you do things on a great scale up the
Potomac - last Friday a steamboat was seen some miles off
rearing and pitching like a cog in high hemp and diverse
conjectures were afloat among us wise men what was the
meaning of the beast - even Abm opened his bosom to
enquire when to the utter astonishment, and more
especailly to that of the aforesaid Abm - a package came
ashore announcing the nomination of Alex Macomb. I know
you are a sort of an unbeliever, but I do tell you Abm
turned partially white - the whole artillery school of
practice, crossed their implements and stood in wonder,
and the corporal of the Guard is ready to swear that the
morning gun refused to go off until the thing was
explained - and old Leveton was heard to ask if the fish
would ascend the Potomac - speaking of fish - puts me in
mind of hoop-poles - I give you liverty cut all the
hickory on my land in Maryland to make a big, strong hoop
for to hold the Commander in Chief. Well joking apart -
please to let me know how it came about. I am told the
Western Delegation called in a Body on the President, in
behalf of Gen. Harrison, he gave them a pump handle shake
of the hand, and tis said they went away satisfied that
their wishes would be met. If he had refused these
gentlemen, and nominated Macomb from what he conceives to
be a correct principle, I shall esteem him for his
independence, for he certainly will run a chance of
loosing political influence by it. Pity he had not shown
as much independence in the appointment of an inspector
Gen....My private opinion is, you will have to go up with
your Garrison and keep order." etc. AFter the death of
Gen. Jacob Brown in 1828, Macmob became major general and
general-in-chief of the army, cover with partial
Alexandria Va. cds and straightline "STEAM" hs, Fine..............$350
2248 C [Mexican War]. Lengthy three-page folded letter headed
"Camp near Vera Cruz March 28th, 1847", with detailed
description of the Battle of Buena Vista including
vignettes of fighting, torching of the city, surrender of
the Mexicans and this eye-witness occurence: "Capt.
Albertis got the back of his head shot off by a cannon
ball which also took off the leg of a corporal and the arm
of a drummer boy of his company. I was standing quite near
when this occurred." etc. Outer lettersheet with New
Orleans postmark in black and large "10", Very Fine
contents..........................................................$500
2249 C [Mexican War]. Well-written Dec. 1847 letter from a John
D. Pope of Kentucky, to President Polk, seeking a
commission in the army, "after having served twelve months
in the war now pending with Mexico, and participated with
the gallant little Army of Gen. Taylor in the hard fought
battle of Monterey." etc. He concludes, "I could if it
were necessary obtain the recommendation of many
distinguished Democrats and Whigs of this state - of the
Field and line officers of the 1st Kety foot, and 1st
Kenty Cavalry, lately in the Service, but as I do not wish
to be tiresome, I come recommended by one person only, and
one who has known me intimately from childhood. I mean
Gen. William Pilcher." etc. With integral address leaf,
blue Louisville cds , Fine........................................$160
2250 C [Mexican War]. Three-page letter to Windham, Ct. from a
Corporal Dorance, mentions the battle of Cerro Gordo and
that he has sent the addressee a copy of the first issue
of American Star, printed at Jalapa, etc., New Orleans cds
and large "10", Fine..............................................$170
2251 C [Mexican War]. June 3, 1847 letter headed City de Puebla
Mexico from a religious army engineer who attends services
three times a week and has visited all the convents in the
city, referring to the nuns as "angels dressed in black."
He lists the generals occupying the city, hoping the
Mexicans will want peace and assures his wife, "...don't
be frightened i am not hurt and i killed my Mexican so i
am contended i swore to do it for them shooting at Vera
Cruz on St. Patrick's day." With outer address leaf
postmarked New Orleans in blue with large "10" hs struck
over ms. "La Puebla Mexico", Fine.................................$170
2252 The Papers of Lt. John Anderson. 14 items from this Scots
artisan, who fought in the Mexican War, the Civil War and
later served in Texas. Includes love letter to a Jane
Butler from Camp Washington, Vera Cruz, with VERA
CRUZ/MEXICO APRIL 12 boxed postmark on front: "I am well
pleased with this country & all I want to complete my
happiness is your presence. This world has changed with me
since I became acquainted with you. It seems to me now
that I have some cause to live - that cause is yourself."
etc. Also includes 1856 citizen paper, various army papers
including 1866 letter from Ringgold, Tex. certifying the
death of his horse & absolving Anderson of any blame,
stereo view of Fort Moultrie by Geo. Cook of Charleston,
photo (probably taken from a tintype) of Lt. Anderson in
uniform, sixth plate ambrotype of his wife and son,
quarter-plate ambro of Anderson & his wife (Jane), etc.
Fine group, first time offered at auction.........................$400
2253 [Military Hardware]. Lot includes Lt. Anderson's spurs,
and a lieutenant's shoulder strap, possibly Civil War
period, though no later than 1870.................................$300
2255 C [Texas]. Folded letter postmarked "Fort Towson Aug. 1"
(1836) with interesting 3pp contents: "Times are exciting
in Texas, the report is that the Mexican Troops are
advancing or are concentrating to advance 8000 strong. The
Texians are crowding on in mass to meet this threatened
invasion. My opinion is, this War is at an end - should it
prove to the contrary, and the Mexicans advance from their
strong holds, they will be annihilated. There is no doubt
but Texas is the garden of America. The sun never shown on
a more delightful country." etc. Small portion of last
page missing, Fine................................................$625
2256 C [Texas]. 3pp folded letter datelined "Matagorda Dec. 22nd,
1842" from a W. Hilard to his brother in Mass.: "As
regards an invasion from Mexico you know as much about as
myself and it may be that they will try it again in
earnest this next spring...A small party of 800 men left
Gonzales one month ago for the Rio Grande I hardly know
their object except to annoy the enemy or their frontier
and break up the Mexican Rancheroes (stock farms) within
our limits. Our congress ordered to meet at Washington or
the Brazos by Sam Houston instead of Austin, the proper
place could not raise a quorum for business, what the old
fellow will do on the strengt of it I know not...We would
however be much better off without any form of Government
than under the present (I think) such is the bad
management of our affairs." etc., outersheet with red
"SHIP" and matching "New-York Jan. 31" and ms. "20", Fine.........$230
2257 C [War of 1812]. Folded letter dated Fort Wayne, Sept. 21,
1812, to Lexington, Ky.: "You have heard the same report
that we have heard. (I wish indeed that it was true, that
Hull, the "Grand Traitor" is captured. I could wish that
they would bring hm by Fort Wayne. I wish for him to see
an Army of Kentuckians assembled to carry the war to that
spot which he betrayed...It is thought that we shall march
to Fort Defiance and tehre establish a strong fort. And
perhaps winter there, or perhaps push on to Detroit. If
the troops and cannon from Virginia and Pennsylvania join
us, we certainly can't stop short of Canada. General
Winchester is now at our head." etc. Fine content. This
was written only days after Lewis Cass's public letter,
which made a scapegoat of Genl. William Hull after he
surrendered Detroit on August 16th................................$550
2258 C [War of 1812]. Interesting 3pp letter dated Apr. 1, 1813
at Philadelphia to Mississippi Territory: "Under present
circumstances, while the war shuts our shipping out from
all foreign ports, our produce had naturally to decline &
will of course continue so, but more particularly for the
southern states & principally for cotton in
Louisiana....the plantations and negroes must also fall in
value...W. Gallatin will go out as minister to Russia to
negoiate a treaty with Great Britain," etc. With integral
address leaf with red cds and "25' rate, Fine.....................$160
2259 C [West Point]. Two interesting letters, 1847 & 48, from a
cadet - "Evans", who writes to a friend in Binghamton,
N.Y., school gossip and related, including comments on the
Mexican War: "We are all `down in the mouth' here at the
awful prospects of peace, especially our class, who have
all ready fought a hundred battles in imagination and
dreamt of the revelling services in the Halls of the
Montezuma. But I am fearful from the latest news, that our
Battles will be in song, and our deeds of valor meere
castles in the air." etc. With original transmittal
envelopes with red West Point, N.Y. postmarks and matching
"5" hs, Fine......................................................$190
2262 [Zeppelins]. Very entertaining four-page typed letter from
London, dated Dec. 5, 1915, with good war commentary
including submarine attacks, and a long discourse on
German Zepp attacks: "I read the other day in an American
paper, a very fair account of what happened in London
during the last zeppelin raid. All we get here is a more
or less non-commital official account, but no details as
to where the bombs were dropped, or what damage was done.
Naturally, so far as London and the neighborhood is
concerned we know pretty well what happened, and we can go
and see the buildings that were wrecked, and we know
people who live near, and so on...The last zeppelin raid,
now about two months ago, we saw...There was quite a roar
round it. They must have had a storm passage, every now
again it would side-slip a few hundred feet, as the force
of the explosion drove it, but it appears as though there
is very little harm done so long as the shell don't burst
in or quite close to the gas-bag...The idea of the thing,
dropping bombs on houses and blowing poor people, mostly
women and kiddies, into ghastly bits, is so devilish that
you don't have any feeling for the crew of the Zepp. You
only hope they'll get it...If they thought to terrify
people, they haven't succeeded worth a damn. The night the
Zepp passed by us, there was of course a big and
interested crowd of people out in the streets looking up
at it, but was a certain amount of amusement when the
people looked at one another and found they had all turned
out with overcoats or cloaks over their nighties or
pyjamas." etc. With original transmittal envelope (to
U.S.), Fine.......................................................$250
The San Francisco Earthquake
2263 C A Survivor's Letter After the Quake. 3pp letter dated Apr.
21, 1906 to family in England, boldly written in pencil in
a large excited hand: "No doubt your anxiety as to our
safety is great. Well, thank God we have at least our
lives and health. We had just started comfortably in
business and were doing well but now I can't say what I am
worth I have a few $ in my pocket but we have very little
idea as to what our next move may be. Our home sank
several feet and fire sprang up all around us we managed
to save a few of our personal necessaries - but what is
the use of saying anything we are fortunate compared with
thousands - many homeless, penniless & hungry. Fortunately
the weather is favorable and to night we will be able to
sleep indoors again. I cannot describe the awful scenes
poeple going insane in fact everything in Chaos. The fire
is now we believe under control but we cannot get water
and no light of any kind allowed in the homes or in the
City. Plague is feared fever is already reported and
little wonder we can't dispose of any refuse. Thousands
are leaving the [city] which of course will help...We have
all we need in food and helped considerably others. We
gave from our store corn meal beans and peas all of which
goes gratis. I do so much wish we could be with you for a
time until our shattered nerves recover. Men are as
Children meek and mild, and all are on a level as far as
wealth goes. All the business section is demolished, but
supplies are coming in fast form all parts there is no
fear of a famine. We are all right don't worry about us we
will get along smomehow. Many have lost their children
fathers mothers & so on but we cling to each other and are
safe." etc., with original transmittal envelope to
England, sent stampless as usual - clear "San Francisco
Cal. Apr. 22" duplex with 22 repeated at bottom, upside
down, rather than with normal "06", with year date
confirmed by G.B. receiving postmarks, letter with recent
tape reinforement along vertical fold, Fine, marvelous
evocative content, certainly one of the finest earthquake
letters extant....................................................$900
2265 C DIVISION OF DEAD LETTERS./MINOR LETTER. 2c Red on white
entire, locally used, postmarked "San Francisco, Cal. Apr.
18 5-AM 1906", shortly before the great earthquake,
addressed to a J.A. Street at "1615b Clay St., City" with
address crossed-out and penciled "Burned lost" written
below it, Very Fine, rare and outstanding usage...................$375
2266 C [San Francisco Earthquake]. Pale green cover to Santa
Clara Co. with machine cancel "San Francisco Cal. Apr. 24,
1906" machine cancel and no stamp, Sanatoga backstamp,
small opening tear at top left corner, Fine, example of
post-earthquake mail sent without postage..........................$85
2269 C [Earthquake]. Five different PPCs, all used 1906-08 plus
unused "Souvenir of the Earthquake City San Francisco In
Ruins," Fine lot...................................................$60
Printed Ephemera
2270 [Stamp Act]. "An Act for Granting and Applying certain
Stamp Duties, and other Duties, in the British Colonies
and Plantations in AMERICA, towards further Defraying the
Expenses of Defending, Protecting, and Securing the same,
and for Amending such parts of the several Acts of
Parliament relating to the Trade and Recovering the
Penalties and Forfeitures therein mentioned." etc.
Original issue, folio, title + 32pp, London, Baskett, 1765
(Sabin 138)##THE EXCEEDINGLY RARE FIRST ISSUE OF THE
CELEBRATED ACT WHICH HAD THE EFFECT OF ALTERING THE COURSE
OF AMERICAN HISTORY##Accompanying this is the 1766 Repeal,
2pp, folio, dated May, 1766, Very Fine..........................$1,900
2272 [Astronomy]. the Barritt-Serviss Star & Planet Finder,
1906, with revolving map, calendar and times - "The Heaven
Without A Telescope", 14-3/4 x 14-3/4 in., very showy wall
piece..............................................................$55
2273 Bank Note Co. Specimens and Related. Three attractive
pieces, includes multicolor Homer Lee Bank Note Co.
"Specimen" sample with allegorical female and eagle
vignettes, Thos. De La Rue Specimen Bank Note/Ad with
tiger vignettes in blue and orange, American Bank Note Co.
perpetual calendar folder with eagle and Aztec vignettes,
Extremely Fine lot................................................$475
2275 [Bond]. $1000 issued bond for the Atlantic, Mississippi &
Ohio RR Co. dated 1871, with signature of President,
William Mahone - former Confederate general, with $1.00
Orange (RN-W2) at center, vignettes of train in
countryside, ship, eagle, etc., punched holes thru
signature, otherwise Very Fine....................................$125
2277 [Stocks & Bonds]. Two pieces, includes 1929
Waldorf-Astoria Hotel $500 unissued/unmarked bond with
attractive vignette of hotel flanked by two women, blue &
black on white, other is undated U.S Sealed Postal Card
Co. unissued stock with N.Y. state seal vignette,
Extremely Fine....................................................$100
2278 [Broadside]. Wonderful 1870s illustrated circular for
wines, brandies, gins rums and whiskies, reverse with 1c
Ultramarine (156) (can be folded up for display )and
addressed to Charleston S.C., minor paper loss at edges,
still Fine, rare piece............................................$125
2279 [Cinderellas]. Many hundreds in stock books and albums,
also includes foreign revenues (some on original
documents), Christmas seals, and lots of stamp show
"stamps", Fine lot................................................$200
2281 [Circus]. Fantastic advertising circular for the THE BIG
CIRCUS MUSUEUM & MEANGERIE, eight lavishly illustrated
pages (the complete booklet contained 16 pages), featuring
illustrations of elephants, hippopotamus ("ten tons of
solid flesh"), George Mellville ("Australia's Greatest
Bareback Rider"), and M'lle Georgia, who descends "by her
Teeth alone, from the towering Centre-Pole's trembling
top,, along a single Fragile Swigngin Wire,", with
original transmittal wrapper, with 1c Bank Note tied by
straightline "Chicago" hs, Fine, very rare........................$250
2282 [Egravings]. Approx. 95, from a mid-19th Century series
entitled "One Hundred Americans", includes signers,
generals, presidents, etc., Fine lot..............................$270
2283 [Benjamin Franklin]. Original copy of THE PENNSYLVANIA
GAZETTE dtaed Nov. 19, 1747, "Printed by B. Franklin,
Post-Master, at the New-Printing-Office, near the Market."
Includes ad for Poor Richard's Pocket Almanac,
attractively matted & framed, displayed to show front and
back pages, with engraving of Franklin, Very Fine.................$850
2284 C [KKK]. Blue and red handstamped cachet, "Knights of the Ku
Klux Klan - Realm of California Kloero", on cover from
Long Beach Cal. with Aug. 12, 1933 mc., includes two
pamphlet enclosures, "Ideals of the Ku Klux Klan" and
"Honor the Holy Bible in the Public Schools," Very Fine,
scarce............................................................$160
2285 [Map]. State of Colorado, as produced by Julius Bien for
the Interior Dept. in 1881, 28 x 24-1/2 in., linen backed.........$120
2286 [Map]. Territory of Idaho, as produced by Julius Bien for
the Interior Dept. in 1879, 21-1/2 x 32-1/4 in., linen
backed.............................................................$50
2287 [Map]. State of Nebraska, as produced by Julius Bien for
the Interior Dept. in 1879, 31-1/2 x 21-1/4 in., linen
backed, two tiny holes not affecting appearance, otherwise
fresh..............................................................$75
2288 [Map]. State of Nevada, as produced by Julius Bien for the
Interior Dept. in 1879, 24-1/2 x 30-3/4 in., linen backed..........$50
2289 [Map]. Territory of New Mexico, as produced by Julius Bien
for the Interior Dept. in 1882, 23-1/4 x 28-1/2 in., linen
backed............................................................$115
2290 [Maps]. Three territorial maps from the Interior Dept.:
Dakota (1882) Utah and Wyoming (1879), linen backed, each
with some small holes..............................................$75
2293 [Poster]. 20-3/4 x 37-1/4 in. "Clyde Fitch's Great
American Play, Barbara Fritchie," with multicolor scene of
a young (and wise) Barbara seated on the steps of her
house with three girlfriends: "Love is a wilful, adorable
child, that teases you till you give it it's own way.",
with additional patriotic-style label pasted at bottom,
for Mary Elizabeth Forbes & Co. at the Opera House ("One
Night"), fresh colors, mounted on board, minor wrinkling..........$210
2294 [Poster]. 20-1/2 x 35 in., "The Great Success" UNDER
SOUTHERN SKIES, by Lottie Blair Parker, with multicolor
scene of couple embracing with a third figure spying from
behind potted palms: "He sha'nt have her! By God, he
sha'nt!!", with additional label at bottom "Elgin Opera
House" with date, fresh colors, some wrinkling, mounted on
board.............................................................$240
2297 [Posters]. Three, includes early movie poster advertising
Corine Griffith in "The Outcast" and Don Alvarado in "The
Apache", another advertising Clara Bow in "Three Weekends"
and Ronald Colman in "Two Loves", also multicolor poster
for Silas Green's Minstrels featuring black charicatures,
Fine lot..........................................................$250
2299 [Posters]. Two film posters, one is ODY AND SOUL, staring
Charles Farrell and Elissa Landi, with Humphrey Bogart and
Myrna Loy in supporting roles , also UP THE RIVER, a John
Ford comedy, each 14 x 22 in., first with light crease
near top,.........................................................$130
2300 [Poster]. Original poster for Silk Stockings with Fred
Astaire and Cyd Charisse, 13-1/2 x 16-3/8 in.,
attractively matted & framed, Very Fine...........................$105
2301 [Railroad]. 150+ pieces, includes covers (RR addresses,
endorsements, postmarks, corner cards including embossed
choo-choo from N.C.), cards, paper ephemera incl. 1854
Appomattox RR seat ticket, etc., mixed condition..................$100
2302 [Railroad]. From the files of the New York, New Hampshire
& Hartford R.R. Co., includes large group of blue prints
of engines and motor cars ("Diagram Mikado Type Loc. with
Superheater," Diesel Elecric Locos," Sante Fe Type Loco,"
etc.) 1916-1951, also letters, pamphlets ("Bureau of
Explosives - Tragedy Lurks!" etc.), charts, maps, etc.,
hundreds of pieces, Fine lot......................................$600
2305 [Zachary Taylor]. Engraving by T. Doney, from a
daguerreotype, and published by E. Anthony, 1848, in
passe-partout, original printed Anthony label and ads on
back, Fine........................................................$200
2307 C [Victoria]. Specailly prepared mourning envelope, "In
Memory of our Beloved Queen Victoria" and postmarked only
8 days after her death from Yarmouth, Canada, Jan. 30,
1901, printed fancy border for stamp, flag pasted in at
corner, slightly reduced at R., Fine, very scarce.................$125
2309 [Ephemera]. Many hundreds of items in four boxes, includes
letters, pamphlets, magazines, photos, some interesting
scrap books including one showing hand-made patterns, two
hand-drawn & colored world maps from 1849, etc., must be
viewed............................................................$750
2310 [Ephemera]. 100+ items, mostly 18th & 19th century papers
including indentures, deeds, land grants, etc., strong in
New York State, also includes 1847 Dutchess Co. Temperance
Society broadside and two diferent NYC licences for public
carts (the last three pieces suitable for framing), mixed
condition but an interesting lot. Inventory available.............$550
2311 [Ephemera]. Couple hundred pieces, includes engravings,
unused Magnus lettersheets, CDVs of Grant, Andrew Johnson,
and Lincoln, Lincoln-Johnson Union Ticket, Camp Nelson
tally sheet for 1864 election, an 18th Century Bible,
etc., Fine lot....................................................$550
Photographs
2312 John Plumbe Jr. Half-plate daguerreotype, resealed, whole
case, mat blind-stamped "Plumbe" at lower right, with old
label, "Brevoort" written on it and pasted on glass at
lower left, ca. 1845-47. Identified as Henry Brevoort
(1791-1874), a descendant of old Dutch stock from New
Amsterdam, and in the 1840s was one of New York City's
few millionaires. His father had owned a farm roughly
bounded by 8th St. and 4th Ave. and 13th St. and 6th Ave,
as some of most valuable real estate in Manhattan, his son
benefited from the gradual sale of this land, in addition
to shrewd investments in the stock market. As an agent for
John Jacob Astor in the fur trade, he met author
Washington Irving in Montreal, they became life-long
friends and corresponded for half a century. Brevoort
wrote the first New York newspaper review of Irving's
Sketch Book, singling out "Rip Van Winkle" for special
praise. Brevoort's son, James Carson, served as Irving's
personal secretary in 1838 when the latter was U.S.
minister to Spain.##John Plumbe Jr. was probably the most
famous of photographers in the 1840s. In addition to
owning nearly a score of galleries in the U.S., Liverpool
and Paris, Plumbe was involved in the manufacture of many
items used in the dagguerreian process. By 1847 he began
selling off galleries to his operators and by 1848 he
withdrew from photography altogether. Something of a
visionary, as early as 1838 he proposed a railroad to the
Pacific, several times petitioning Congress for a survey
west of the Mississippi, he was not successful, having
written memorials to Congress as late as 1851. He
committed suicide in 1857. The image offered here was most
likely part of Plumbe's influencial series of prominent
Americans. Given the vast number of daguerreotypes turned
out by his galleries, it is more accurate to describe
nearly all images attributed to Plumbe as "Studio of,"
though a prominent and wealthy New Yorker such as Henry
Brevoort was certainly in a position to request Plumbe's
presence, either as operator or at the very least
overseeing the sitting. Accompanying this half-plate is a
sixth plate of Brevoort, by an unidentified photographer,
unsealed, in a whole case. Both pieces were part of the
estate of Grenville Kane, a nephew of James Carson
Brevoort. Kane died in the 1940s, though these and several
other pieces did not become available until the 1960s, and
are being offered for the first time at public auction..........$3,500
2313 Robert H. Vance. Half-plate daguerreotype, old seals,
whole case with velvet lining stamped "R.H. Vance's
Premium Daguerrean Galleries San Francisco, Sacremento &
Marysville." circa 1853. The sitters are identified as
James P. Robinson of Sacramento, and his wife Mary
Caroline Cutter. An superb print of the daguererotype was
made at an unknown later date (signed "Fuji N.Y.") with
comments on back from a descendant dated 1967, noting that
Robinson came from Sacramento and later resided in New
York. The date of their marriage is given as Sept. 7, 1853
and we can assume the daguerreotype was made around this
time, given the prominence of Mrs. Robinson's ring.
Accompanying the image are two photographs of Mr.
Robinson, undated, showing him in middle and old
age.##Robert Vance, considered the premier photographer of
the California gold rush, is best remembered for his
series of 300 whole plate daguerreotypes showing scenes of
the gold mining camps and views of California in general.
Shipped to New York in late 1851 for exhibition, and
accompanied by a detailed catalog, they made a great
impact on the public, yet Vance lost money on the venture.
He sold the collection to Jeremiah Gurney in 1852, who in
turn sold it to John H. Fitzgibbon of St. Louis, who sold
his gallery in 1861. Whether Vance's collection was part
of this sale is unknown - it's ultimate fate remains a
mystery. This half-plate daguerreotype of Mr. and Mrs.
James P. Robinson, descended in the family of the sitters,
is offered for the first time at public auction.................$4,000
2314 Jeremiah Gurney. Quarter-plate daguerreotype of a young
man, resealed, case (separated), "J. Gurney/189 Broadway
N.Y." blind stamped on mat at B.R.,...............................$300
2315 [Daguerreotype]. Quarter-plate, resealed, whole case, an
image of three sisters, two seated, their dresses
attractively hand-tinted in peach, lilac and red, with
slip written at a much later date identifying them as
Aunts Louisa Whittmore, Lizzie Manson and Emma Whittmore,
some solarization at the edges, nevertheless a wonderful
image...........................................................$1,200
2316 [Daguerreotypes]. Two sixth plate images of a pair of folk
paintings - husband and wife, the former holding a quill
pen, the latter with a flower, in a single case, each with
attractive case maker's label, resealed...........................$475
2317 [Daguerreotype]. Half-plate of two women in three-quarter
case, resealed. The seated woman is Mary Caroline Cutter
(see lot 2313), some scratches and light swipes, still a
very attractive image.............................................$575
2318 [Daguerreotype]. Broadside, DAGUERREOTYPE SALOON, printed
by Henry Tillinghast of Providence for a itinerant
daguerreian, J.A. Foster, who announces, "Having devoted
some time to the business, and being prepared with a good
apparatus, he feels confident in assuring the public that
all Pictures taken by him shall give entire satisfaction.
All who wish to obtain a GOOD LIKENESS Will Remember To
Call At His SALOON without delay, as his stay in the
village will be limited." 6-1/8 x 9 in., tiny tear in
extreme bottom right corner, still exceptionally choice
and Very Fine.....................................................$525
2319 [Case]. Quarter-plate thermoplastic case showing the
surrender of Major Andre, printed Union Case label inside,
Very Fine.........................................................$260
2320 [Cases]. Two thermoplastic sixth plate cases, one with
image of seated Liberty with train and steamship
vignettes, other has small cameo of woman facing left,
each with Littlefield, Parsons label..............................$240
2321 [Ambrotype]. Sixth plate image of Maj. Joseph Smith of
Churchtown, Pa., 5th Pa. Vol. Infantry, taken in Dec.
1863, highlights painted in gold and blue, elaborate
patriotic-style mat with vignette of flags, cannon &
full-rigged ship, whole case with small eagle in center...........$250
2322 [Ambrotypes]. Three sixth plate images of lithographs of
Generals Halleck, Scott and Wool, each in case....................$200
2323 [Tintype]. Ninth plate of Union sargeant, tinting to
stripes and buttons, in attractive thermoplastic case with
label for Holmes, Booth & Hayden..................................$160
2324 Timothy O. Sullivan. Five albumen prints, each 8-3/4 x
6-3/4 in., from Gardner's INCIDENTS OF THE WAR, each
consisting of groups of officers including "Lt. Col.
Butler, and Regimental Staff, 93rd N.Y.V. Infantry,"
"Group of Officers N.Y.V., Germantown Va.," "Capt. E.
Hobart's Eompany" "Major General J.E. Hooker and Staff",
etc., mildew staining most evident in the borders and back
only, last image with small tear at top.........................$2,200
2325 [Civil War]. Cabinet photo of Union private, 4-3/4 x 9
in., signed at bottom, "Yours Truly John Burkhart Savannah
Georgia Dec. 25th 1864" only a few days after the fall of
Savannah, imprint at bottom, "Latour, Sedalia, Mo.",
soiling affects image.............................................$325
2326 [Cartes-de-Visite]. Six, each showing the same view of
Elmira Prison Camp, with minute variations, all but one
with imprint on back of Moulton & Larkin, local
photographers, a variety of ms. notes appear on back
giving the location of the camp, faults unfortunately but
taken together, they make a desirable display, very scarce........$500
2327 [Cartes-de-Visite]. 28, plus one stereo view, all Civil
War, virtually all individuals in uniform, includes two
different images of Grant, McClellan & wife, full length
of Gen. Dix leaning on sword (Brady), sailor, surgeon, two
mounted tinytpes including one "Gem Miniature" of Ct.
private, some nice full length images incl. two with cap
displaying N.H.V. (one with gear layed out on floor of the
studio), etc., also campaign CDV for Grant showing him,
Colfax, Geo. Washington & Lincoln in elaborately decorated
oval, lot also includes 8 CDVs of various generals and
Lincoln in lithos & prints - these have not been counted........$1,100
2328 [Carte-de-Visite]. Miniature (18 x 29mm) of Tom Thumb, by
A.A. Turner, some edge wear........................................$70
2329 [Cartes-de-Visite]. Three Civil War politicians, J.H.
Conover, S.S. Cox, and Sobreski Ross, each autographed,
each with photographer's imprint on back including
attractive Wm. Gaston (Trenton, N.J.) on first, Very Fine
lot...............................................................$100
2330 C [Carte-de-Visite]. A rare Anti-Grant Card, prepared by
George Francis Train, author and independent candidate for
President in 1872, with tiny photo of Mr. Train and
caption, "The Photographs as they appear on Envelopes
before depositing in Omaha", the reverse shows a photo of
a 3c Bank Note cover addressed to Train from Omaha with a
defaced copy of Train's portrait in the corner, with
caption, "The way Grant, through Omaha Post Office, fights
the People's Champion." Although postal clerks
occasionally expressed their politics in the way they
handled campaign envelopes, this may be the only instance
where a candidate attempted to make an issue of it. Very
Fine and rare, the only example of this card that we've
encountered.......................................................$290
2331 [Ivorytype]. Portrait of gentleman, ca. 1880 in attractive
patriotic frame showing stars & strips shield on either
side in cloth & metal on velvet...................................$160
2333 [Indians]. Cabinet photo, 5-3/4 x 4 in. with ms. title,
"Pima Police Force" and imprint of Buehman & Hartwell of
Tucson, small stain at T.R. not affecting figures, an
unusual and appealing image. The Tucson photographers
created a lengthy series of photos documenting Indian life
in Arizona in the 1880s...........................................$750
2334 [Indians]. Cabinet photo, 4 x 6 in., head and shoulders
portrait of Indian in war paint, some evidence of retouch
work imprint of Buehman & Co. in Tucson, pencil "91" on
front and an unfortunate ms. "Muchacho Nigger" on back -
the latter with the "Ni" mostly removed at an unknown
later date, some scattered minor soiling but still an
effective image...................................................$290
2335 Self Portraits of Photographers. Four CDVs, one is full
length image of G.W. Barnes of Rockford, Ill., posed with
his camera, also a full length portrait of J.R. Orvis of
Fayette, Iowa, showing the photographer's camera,
chemicals and one example of his work (a framed portrait
of a Union officer), the back with a short biography of
Orvis written in pencil, which notes that he began work
with daguerreotypes, accompanied by a creased CDV with a
photo of an 1880 newspaper article announcing Orvis's 35th
anniversary as a photographer, finally, a CDV showing "R.
Fitzpatrick's Photograph Rooms" with the photographer
standing in the doorway with his camera, last is a bit
faded, others are Very Fine.....................................$1,350
2336 [Photographs]. 78 pieces, daguerreotypes include 14 sixth
plates, two quarter plates, and one half plate, also ten
ambros, eight tintypes and 35+ CDVs, better include dag of
young man and his dog, also a dag of gentleman holding his
top hat (photographer identified in pencil as John
Catherwood of Winchester, Ky.), and ambro post-mortem of
baby, a number of attractive Union cases including one
containing an image on white ceramic, very mixed condition........$850
2337 C Covers with Photography Advertising. 43, 1850s to 20th
century, includes Claremont N.H. 1850s with rare stencil
corner card for Ambrotypes, several E. & H.T. Anthony ads
including late 1860s example with reference to Daguerrean
apparatus & materials, various galleries and
photographers, etc., Fine, a difficult group to assemble..........$600
Afro-American Letters and Documents
2338 C [Abolition]. Important three-page letter from James T.
Dickinson to the Rev. Henry Hickock. He writes (in part):
"The conflicting opinions of colonizationists &
abolitionists are exciting no small attention now in this
part of the country - My people are almost to a man
Colonizationists & opposed to immediate emancipation. A
female school was recently established in Canterbury 15
miles from here for the blacks & two towns have all but
expelled it by force from the place & probably they will
yet do it - Strange to say this wicked attempt to deny
instruction to those who need it so much finds abundant
sympathy & support every where - Now I am in favor of the
blacks & of emancipation - I approve of Garrison's
principles though not of his harsh language...My opinions
on this subject make me unpopular but my conscience
obliges me to take the side of the poor dispised black
mass - That the colony at Liberia deserves support I have
no doubt but the idea of taking off all our coloured
population to Africa is preposterous - they must for the
most part remain here - & here let us educate them not
intermarry with them as Garrison has been falsely charged
with advocating." etc., with intergral address leaf
(Norwich Ct. postmark), Very Fine.................................$475
2339 [Afro-American]. 1816 court document, 4pp., from Clinton
County, O., regarding the murder of "one Peter Peyton a
black man", by Robert Anderson & Hampton Clark, "not
having the fear of God before their eyes but being moved &
seduced by the instigation of the Devil," and who shot
Peyton in the head with a single shot from a rifle, Fine
and very interesting document, accompanied by seven other
court documents (unrelated), all of which were found in
the files of court clerk Peter Burr...............................$100
2341 [Black History]. Interesting 16-page letter dated Mar.
1889 from Valparaiso Ind., describing a performance of
"Uncle Tom's Cabin" which was preceded by a lecture from
Geo. Harris, "from whom the greater part of the
information was obtained by Mrs. Stowe in writing the
book. He consumed about one hour in telling all he knew
about the institution of slavery, and did it all in a very
gentlemanly way indeed, much to my surprise...His
appearance was that of a white man about seventy odd years
old and I should judge him to be an octoroon, and to one
having had much acquaintance with the negro it was very
plain that the white man was doing the talking. He failed
however to tell us how the present problem that the negro
population has forced is to be solved." There is also a
description of the excitement surrounding an upcoming
lecture by Belva Lockwood, etc. Fine content, with
original envelope.................................................$210
2342 [Broadside]. Headed "To Retailers and Others", it reads
(in part): "The court will suppress a License when the
Grand Jury present the case for any of the following
causes: If the party sells to a slave after night, without
a note from the master, or mistress, or agent...If he
allows crwds of negroes around the store - particularly if
noisy and turbulent...If any drunken or worthless white
person shall be allowed to buy for negroes it shall be
considered as if the sale was directly to the negroes."
etc. Approx. 7-5/8 x 9-1/4 in., some toning, edges bit
irregular (though obviously if properly matted and framed
this would not be a distraction), still Fine, a very
scarce piece......................................................$180
2343 Blanche K. Bruce. Virginia-born slave who entered politics
after the war and in 1874 was elected to the Senate by the
state of Mississippi, the only Afro-American to be elected
to a full term until 1966. Document signed ("B.K. Bruce")
as recorder of deeds for the District of Columbia, dated
July 8, 1890, Fine and very scarce signature......................$120
2344 A Map of a Plantation including Slave Quarters. Four page
letter from a student on vacation in Helena, Ark. dated
Dec. 29, 1858 which includes a separate sheet of paper
with a small pencil and ink map of Col. Mill's plantation,
his house somewhat dwarfed by the "Nigger Yard" and
placement of cabins, overseer's house, gin yard, fodder
yard, etc., wonderfully detailed letter describing a
lavish Christmas party at Col. Mill's, in addition to a
grand dance at Magnolia Hall, and near the end he notes
two interruptions, ("Well there! here comes nigger girl
`Linda' with great Goblet of some more Egg Nogg. Silver
spoon in it.") And, "Here comes Nigger boy `Mark' to call
me to dinner.", etc. With original transmittal envelope
with No. 26 tied by "Helena Ark. Dec. 31, 1858" cds, Very
Fine, outstanding content.........................................$475
2345 [Slavery]. Two different Maryland documents liberating
slaves, 1798 and 1800, each with embossed revenue (RM98 &
100), Fine........................................................$260
2346 [Slavery]. 1799 Virginia document with embossed revenue
RM241 for hire "of a negro Man named Ben whom we promise
to return on the said first day of Jany. well clothed."
etc., Very Fine....................................................$75
2347 [Slavery]. 1818 document from Alabama Territory certifying
that "Francisco Touris proved before me the undersigned
Clerk of the County of Mobile that he the said Touris is a
free black man and that he was born of Free parents."
Toned, otherwise Fine, scarce and exhibitable.....................$115
2348 [Slavery]. Part-printed North Carolina bill of sale for
"one negro slave named Maria," dated 1819, Fine...................$120
2349 [Slavery]. 1831 indenture (4pp) prepared prior to a
marriage, listing a Virginia woman's half interest in
various slaves and their children, Very Fine.......................$75
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